Wine Tourism - Essay Example

Tourism: Wine, Food and Festivals Introduction: When wine and food are the issues at hand, they cannot be disassociated with people and culture. In fact they have become major components of tourism industry as tourism also has become an important player in globalization and world market. Tourists recognized that food and wine are linked with the culture of the regions they visit so they are part of what guests consume (M. Hall 2003).Wine and food tourists are particular on the experience they will have to gain on their trip like those of other tourist which have other interests. Tourists go to places where they expect to experience other cultures, and what could be more engaging than food and wine while viewing the scenery of the region. In this annual event, guests will experience the culture in Adelaide Australia. The itinerary includes the visit to the Adelaide hills and vineyards where they are to experience the culture as they appreciate the magical landscape, its wine and its food. Studies have shown that wine tourists are usually highly paid and highly educated people. They are also people who understand or in some degree knowledgeable about wines. Most writers believe that winery tourists belong to the above average people group, they are usually have above average income, and therefore could be expected to be in high-yield wine tourists groups and in no way to be expected in cheap package deals (D. Getz, G. Brown 2006). This event will be just what they expect and maybe more. They will experience what goes on the hills of Adelaide; they will be mesmerized by its beauty as they taste its food and wine. At the end of this event guests will gain better understanding and appreciation of the uniqueness of contemporary Australian life style. Wine tourists are sure to appreciate South Australian wine and will come back for more. The itinerary includes the trip to and discussion of the following: The South Australian hills of Adelaide The South Australian “terroir” What goes on the wine cellar The wine of Adelaide The South Australian hills of Adelaide Adelaide hills are known to be one of the most attractive wine regions of Australia. The hills are circling around the eastern boundary of the Adelaide city. Adelaide is one of the largest and also the oldest wine regions. In 1839 the first vines were planted on its hills, three years before South Australia was declared a state. In 1844 a case of that wine was sent to Queen Victoria. In 1842 the German pioneers witnessed more plantings of grape vines in the region. Today there are more than fifty wineries, and two hundred growers of the special and highly regarded fruit in the Adelaide hills (Julie Donnellan 2005). The South Australian terroir The word terroir is always associated with wine production. The true meaning of the French word terroir is vague; however it explains the relevance of the characteristics of the soil in particular places where good wines are produced. Though ambiguous in some ways the notion that is associated with the word terroir can be said to be “the uniqueness, origin, persistence, specificity, and personality” (Vaudour E. 2001). Adelaide has the characteristics of the terroir which any successful wine industry needs. Its climate is cooler than the neighboring plains during hot summers, and the altitude of the lowest vineyard in the region is sited at 400meters, and the yearly rainfall can differ between 700 and 1,500 millimeters per year. This cool climate is ideal and excellent for growing Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and cool crisp Chardonnay. These are the grape varieties largely grown in the Adelaide region. The high altitude, the wet and cool spring and dry summers are all components that allow the grapes to reach maturity in much slower pace, and this marks the difference compared to those that are grown in other regions (Julie Donnellan 2005). Wine consumption becomes aesthetic experience Until today there are still debates going on weather wine consumption can be linked or can be said to give an aesthetic experience to its consumer. There is some kind of sophistication associated with drinking wine, almost mystical, it possesses some kind of power. A wine maker fittingly described it as “that unspoken thing, that all comes together . . . where you just go “wow that piece of music!” I don’t have to hear it a lot of times [it’s] just like ‘bang’, it makes my hair stand on end! And it’s the same with a wine . . . it’s just this seamlessness. You keep looking at it, and looking at it, and you can see more and more and more into it . . . I always find that when I start to contradict myself about what I’m saying about a wine, and then I enjoy it” (Charters and Pettigrew 2005). The process involved in wine making is scientific in itself, even the component of terroir, however the fact that wine making and wine consumption can only be best described artistically is what makes it an art. It is the totality of the whole place, the music, the ambiance, the food and the people are all factors to the magic of wine. These are the things that our guests will be expecting at this annual event. The Wine Cellar At this event the wine cellar will be open to our visitors. The visitors will see the wine barrels lined up on the wall. There are different bottles of wine on display to give the audience the feel if they are actually holding the battle of wine. The information about how the wine of Adelaide is carefully aged in the barrels. Wine enthusiasts will hear and learn the complexity of making wine, as there are many facets in wine production that need the mastery of skillful wine maker. There will be a great and unique tasting experience for everyone, and the visitors will be provided the experience of smell that can be found in wine such as cinnamon and peaches and still many different things to make it more exciting even to the novices. This event is prepared to give wine enthusiasts some kind of magical experience that would appeal to all the senses; like the sense of touch, smell and sound. At some degree they will learn how the different tastes and aromas are achieved to create the character of each wine variety. To give the rightful finale to all the information that has been disseminated, a banquet will be prepared where music and food can be enjoyed by everyone. References D. Getz, G. Brown / Tourism Management 27 (2006) Critical success factors for wine tourism regions: a demand analysis p.149pdf. Accessed May 8, 2010 at www.elsevier.com/locate/tourman Hall Colin Michael Hall (2003) Wine, Food, and Tourism Marketing p.xiii Haworth Hospitality Press Inc. 10 Alice St. Binghamton, NY 13904 15800USA Julie Donnellan (2005) Wine Regions – Adelaide Hills accessed May 8, 2010 at http://www.winediva.com.au/regions/adelaide-hills.asp) Vaudour E(2001) Notions of Terroir p.119 Journal of Wine Research, 2002, Vol. 13, No. 2,pp. 117–141 STEVE CHARTERS and SIMONE PETTIGREW (2005) Is Wine Consumption an Aesthetic Experience? Journal of Wine Research, 2005, Vol. 16, No. 2, p.128 pdf Other readings: E. Jesus (2007) Metaphor inside the wine cellar: On the Ubiquity of Personification Schemas in Winespeak pdf. Accessed May 8, 2010 at http://www.metaphorik.de/12/suarez-toste.pdf Read More